The first all new CX-5 since 2017 is bigger, safer and AWD across the range, from $39,990. But there's still no hybrid. Here's the price, what each grade gets, and how it stacks up against the RAV4 and Tucson.
By Varun Punyamurtula ·
The new CX-5 is roomier, safer and nicer inside than ever, with AWD on every grade and a five star ANCAP rating that runs to 2031. Its one real weakness is the thirsty, modest 2.5 litre engine with no hybrid option yet. Buy the Evolve if you want the best all rounder; choose a RAV4 or Tucson Hybrid if fuel bills matter most.
From $39,990 plus on road costs. Pure on offer at $43,990 drive away.
About $47,300 drive away in NSW for the Mazda CX-5 Evolve. See VIC and QLD
The Mazda CX-5 has been Mazda's best seller in Australia for years, and for the first time since 2017 there's an all new one in showrooms. That's why so many Australians are searching for it right now. It is bigger, roomier, safer and comes with all wheel drive on every version.
But it costs more than before, it still has no hybrid, and Mazda has swapped most of the buttons for a big touchscreen. So is the new CX-5 still the smart family SUV buy, or should you look at a RAV4 or Tucson Hybrid instead?
Quick answer: The new CX-5 is one of the best all round family SUVs for under $50,000. It's properly roomy now, has a record setting five star ANCAP result and AWD as standard, and the Pure is on offer at $43,990 drive away. The catch is the engine: there's no hybrid until about 2028, so if fuel bills matter most, a RAV4 or Tucson Hybrid will cost less to run.
Every new CX-5 uses the same 2.5 litre petrol engine with a six speed auto and AWD. Prices below are Mazda's list prices plus on road costs:
The entry price is up $2,750 on the old model, but you get a much bigger car with more standard gear. Tan leather on the GT SP and Akera, or white and black trim on the Touring, adds $1,000.
Winner on value: the Evolve. Wireless phone mirroring, heated seats and keyless entry are worth the $3,000 jump from the Pure for most buyers. The Touring is the sweet spot if you want the power tailgate and heated steering wheel.
The new CX-5 keeps the familiar shape but grows in every direction. It is 115mm longer, with a 115mm longer wheelbase, and sits a little taller and wider than before. It looks more upmarket from every angle, especially in Soul Red.
Exterior:
Rear:
Interior:
Inside is the biggest change. The old CX-5's rotary controller and physical climate buttons are gone. Most controls, including the air conditioning, now live in the touchscreen, which is 12.9 inches on most grades and 15.6 inches on the Akera. It looks modern and the materials still feel a cut above most rivals, but early Australian drives say adjusting the climate on the move is more fiddly than before. There's no Google built in either; Mazda says leaving it out keeps prices down.
This is the weak spot. The CX-5 is heavier but has slightly less power, so it's fine around town but needs a good push for overtaking or a full load up a hill. Early drives say the softer suspension rides more comfortably than the old car while keeping the sharp steering CX-5 owners love.
Fuel is the other trade off. A RAV4 Hybrid uses around 4.5 to 4.6L/100km officially. Over 15,000km a year that's roughly 400 litres less fuel than the CX-5, or about $800 a year at $2 a litre. The upside is the CX-5 is happy on cheaper 91, while the new RAV4 hybrid needs 95.
Winner on fuel: the hybrid rivals. Winner on towing: the CX-5, at 1,800kg.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used CX-5. Get the best deal. Upgrading from an older CX-5 or anything else? We can help you sell your car too.
The extra length has gone where families need it. Rear knee room has nearly doubled, rear headroom is up 29mm, and the rear doors open wider, which makes fitting child seats easier.
Winner: The CX-5 has finally fixed its biggest old weakness. The back seat now feels as roomy as its best rivals, though the RAV4 still has the bigger boot.
The new CX-5 scored the full five star ANCAP rating in July 2026, across every grade. Its 93% score for protecting pedestrians and cyclists is the highest ANCAP has awarded under its current tests. The rating runs until December 2031, which matters for fleet and novated lease buyers.
Standard kit includes forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring that watches up to 50m back, adaptive cruise with stop and go, and emergency call and stolen vehicle tracking. The 360 degree camera arrives from the GT SP.
Winner: the CX-5. Some key rivals, including the new RAV4, launched without a current ANCAP rating.
Mazda hadn't published capped price servicing for the new model when we checked. The outgoing CX-5 2.5 AWD cost $2,240 over five years, and the new one is expected to be similar. Ask the dealer for the exact figure before you sign.
Winner on running costs: RAV4 Hybrid. Winner on safety and AWD value: CX-5. Winner on price: a run out or demo previous generation CX-5.
Buy it if: you want a roomy, safe, nice to drive family SUV with AWD, you tow a small van or boat, or you don't do enough kilometres for a hybrid to pay off.
Skip it if: you mostly drive in the city and want the lowest fuel bills, you hate touchscreen controls, or you can wait until about 2028 for the hybrid.
Our pick: the Evolve at $42,990 plus on road costs. It has the features you'll use every day without paying for leather and a sunroof. If the Pure's $43,990 drive away offer is still running, compare it with Evolve drive away deals before you choose, as the gap can be smaller than it looks.
From $39,990 plus on road costs for the Pure, up to $54,990 for the Akera. The Pure is currently offered at $43,990 drive away.
Not yet. Mazda's new SkyActiv Z hybrid is expected in Australia around 2028. There are no plans for a plug in hybrid.
Yes. It is 115mm longer with a 115mm longer wheelbase, rear knee room has almost doubled and the boot is up to 466 litres.
It has a five star ANCAP rating from July 2026, valid until December 2031, with a record 93% score for vulnerable road user protection.
Up to 1,800kg braked with a Mazda genuine towing kit.
Yes. Every grade in Australia comes with i Activ AWD and there's no front drive version.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used CX-5. Get the best deal. Upgrading from an older CX-5 or anything else? We can help you sell your car too.
Prices checked on 9 October 2026 from Mazda Australia. Rival prices and drive away offers change often, so confirm with a dealer before you buy. Images: Mazda Australia.
An estimate for a private buyer. Pick your state.
| Mazda CX-5 Evolve | Mazda CX-5 Touring | Mazda CX-5 Akera | |
|---|---|---|---|
| List price | $42,990 | $47,490 | $54,990 |
| Stamp duty (NSW) | $1,350 | $1,575 | $1,950 |
| Rego and CTP, 12 months | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Dealer delivery (typical) | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Drive away, about | $47,300 | $52,100 | $59,900 |
Why a new car loses value so fast: about $4,350 of the drive away price is stamp duty, rego, CTP and dealer delivery. You never get that back when you sell, because the next owner pays their own. GST and any Luxury Car Tax are built into the list price, so they fade with the car's value over the years rather than vanishing on day one. The rest of the drop comes from age, kilometres and demand.
Estimates only, using 2026-27 rates. Rego and CTP depend on the car's weight, your insurer and postcode, and dealer delivery varies (some brands sell at one national drive away price). Ask the dealer for a written drive away quote.
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